China, July '09

Before this trip started I was treated for an "upper respiratory infection" . I told the doctor that I had to be symptom-free upon arrival in China. Because when I got there two teams of people in haz-mat suits came on the plane and shot an infrared beam at everyone's foreheads. If you were suspect they stuck a thermometer in you and asked questions. This was a measure to prevent swine flu from entering China. I tried to take shallow breaths so I wouldn't cough and I made it through.
A couple of days after my arrival I tried to log on to my blog. It was blocked. Chinese officials in general don't like Google, blogs or social networking sites that offer the rare taste of free expression, but this happened immediately after the rioting in the western province Xinjiang. This is my understanding of the problem:
In Xinjiang Muslim Uighurs are the native ethnic group. That area of the country has vast natural resources that are largely undeveloped. Hans-the dominant ethnic group of China- have been recruited to "go west" and develop Xinjiang. The Uighurs resent the presence of the Hans [Where in the world has it ever been peaceful for a more powerful group to move to to an area of less powerful natives? Ireland? Palestine? South Africa?] and the Hans resent the affirmative action programs that are offered to the Uighurs.
In June a Han laborer spread a false rumor that two Uighurs had raped Han women. A Han mob attacked Uighur workers. When authorities were slow to make arrests, Uighurs took to the streets. About 200 people were killed and about 1000 arrested. Following that, across the province, Uighurs were attacked by Hans.
The reactions to this were interesting. On Chinese news programs western media were blamed for blowing the incident out of proportion. One program found a westerner to say "Look out my window. There's nothing going on. It's quiet. I haven't seen or heard anything!" A colleague of Jim's had the opinion that the Uighurs are just not grateful for all the help they've been given by Beijing.
Perceptions of inequality are creating social rifts in China. The situation might get worse. As for my blog, I'm having to write after the fact.